Bad weather halts search operation<\/p>\n
BREBES, Central Java (JP): The search operation for the
\nremaining 24 people believed to be still trapped under last
\nWednesday night's landslide was halted on Monday due to bad
\nweather and after consulting with the families of those missing.<\/p>\n
The search and rescue team, consisting of police and army
\nofficers and local residents, said bad weather was the main
\nconstraint in the operation.<\/p>\n
Governor Mardiyanto confirmed on Monday in Semarang that the
\nsearch operation had to be halted.<\/p>\n
\"We don't object to continuing the operation. But heavy
\ndownpours makes it difficult to go on. There's only a small
\npossibility of us uncovering more bodies in such unfriendly
\nweather,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"The relatives of the victims and all the Windu Sakti
\nvillagers have accepted their fate with patience,\" Mardiyanto
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
With the cessation of search operations, the remaining unfound
\nvillagers were officially declared dead.<\/p>\n
The last body found by rescuers was that of Surwanto, 30, on
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
\"Now that the search has stopped, we will start concentrating
\non repairing the roads as soon as possible so residents will not
\nbe isolated. We have to find a safer place for those whose homes
\nwere crushed by the landslide,\" the governor said.<\/p>\n
According to Mardiyanto, villagers have expressed their
\nwillingness to relocate to safer areas or possibly to
\ntransmigration sites.<\/p>\n
\"We must find a new place first. We will set aside a total of
\nRp 112 million to help villagers build new houses in the new
\narea. Other aid from individuals and private institutions is
\nexpected,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Some 600 Windu Sakti villagers are now staying in neighboring
\nvillages, including Capar, Windu Asri, Tembong Raja and
\nIndrajaya.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Brebes regent Tajuddin Nuraly said food and
\nmedicine supplies for the refugees was sufficient.<\/p>\n
\"We are trying to keep them healthy,\" Tajuddin said. (jar\/sur)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bad-weather-halts-search-operation-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }